We Help Families and Workers Recover Compensation for Lead Poisoning
Before it was outlawed in the 1970s, lead paint was widely used in homes, schools, offices, and other buildings across America. We now know there is no “safe” level of lead for humans. In response, many property owners renovated older buildings to make them safe. However, some did not—and, worse, failed to warn people who rented or purchased these buildings about the risk.
Lead exposure can cause permanent harm to children and adults. If you believe you or a loved one was injured by lead paint, reach out to Ashcraft & Gerel today. Our lawyers have handled lead paint poisoning cases across America, helping families recover significant compensation to pay for medical costs, lasting disabilities, and other damages. Share your story with us in a free evaluation to learn whether you may be eligible to file a claim.
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Identifying Lead Paint Poisoning
Lead poisoning is an insidious danger that may not show up right away. Sometimes, the first warning sign you will see is lead paint or dust in your house. If your home was built before 1978 and has chipping or peeling paint, there’s a good chance you and your family are being exposed to small amounts of lead every day.
Lead builds up in the body for as long as a person is exposed. It may even be stored in bones. The sooner you catch lead paint poisoning, the better your chances of minimizing its long-term impacts.
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Signs of Elevated Blood Lead Levels in Children
While lead exposure is most dangerous to children under 6, older children can also suffer painful symptoms. Children who have dangerous blood lead levels may display:
- Developmental delays
- Learning difficulties
- Seizures
- Hearing loss
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Pica (eating things that aren’t food and have no nutritional value)
- Weight loss
- Fatigue and sluggishness
- Abdominal pain and vomiting
If your child is displaying one or more of these symptoms, their blood lead levels may already be much higher than the intervention point. See a pediatrician as soon as you can for a blood lead test and advice on treatment methods.
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Lead Paint Poisoning in Adults
Because adults’ brains and bodies are fully developed, they do not suffer some of the symptoms common among children with lead poisoning. However, elevated blood lead levels can still lead to disruptive conditions like:
- High blood pressure
- Joint and muscle pain
- Abdominal pain
- Headaches
- Trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Mood disorders
- Reduced sperm count and/or abnormal sperm
A doctor can help you reduce your blood lead levels and find ways to protect yourself against further exposure.
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How Lead Exposure Affects Pregnancy
Elevated blood lead levels interfere with the development of a fetus, meaning exposure during pregnancy is especially fraught. Lead paint can cause:
- Organ damage
- Premature birth
- Lower birth weight
- Slower growth
- Miscarriage or stillbirth
These factors make an infant more likely to suffer other health problems. Children exposed to lead paint while in the womb are also more likely to display learning disabilities or behavioral problems later on. Parenting a child who suffered lead poisoning before birth can be especially challenging. Anyone who was unknowingly exposed to lead while pregnant should ask us how we can help them find financial support.
Compensation in Lead Paint Poisoning Cases
Because the symptoms of lead poisoning do not always appear right away, you should work with an attorney to determine the scope of your claim. It’s extremely important for anyone who may have been exposed to visit a doctor for blood lead tests and other evaluations designed to identify injuries caused by lead exposure. If you cannot find a doctor with the appropriate expertise, our team can help your family get the treatment you need.
Once we have full medical reports, we will be able to identify damages and calculate their worth. Lead paint poisoning victims can seek restitution for:
- Medical bills (tests, treatment to reduce blood lead levels, etc.)
- Future medical needs
- Lost wages
- Disabilities that may affect future job/wage prospects
- Accommodations and assistive devices
- Personal aid or household services
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
Especially when young children are affected, the costs that will accrue over the rest of their lifetimes are prohibitive. Seeking compensation is the best way to ensure they always have the care and support they need.
Filing a Lead Paint Poisoning Case
Along with proving you or a family member suffered due to lead paint poisoning, you will also need to identify the source of the exposure. If you are still living or working in the building, we can help you find a professional to test for lead paint or dust. Finding proof may be harder if you have already moved, but it is not impossible. Our lawyers are skilled investigators who can find evidence in places others may not think to look.
Those who suffer lead poisoning typically have 3 years after discovering the condition to file a lawsuit. However, anyone exposed as a child is given 3 years after they reach the age of majority, meaning they must sue before they turn 21. Of course, parents can also sue on the behalf of minors—but in cases where lead poisoning goes unidentified in childhood, the law allows new adults a way to seek compensation for their future.
Start Your Claim Today
No matter the level of lead exposure a person suffers, it’s worth talking to an attorney to learn your legal options. Especially in children who are still developing, the symptoms of lead poisoning may not be immediately apparent. However, if you decline to file a suit and then start to see negative effects after the statute of limitations has passed, you will have no way to seek restitution.
Ashcraft & Gerel has helped many families win compensation after suffering from lead paint poisoning. Sadly, there is no way to repair the damage caused by lead exposure. We can, however, help you fight for justice so you and your family can access the care and assistance you need. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience and a compassionate approach. Let us help you determine whether a lead paint poisoning claim could help you.